I think Winston is very solid, but he seems to not fit our offensive line type. As I type that I laugh, because our line has been horrid. So I agree the statement is silly.

But what I am trying to say is that from what I understand, he is great in zone blocking. As far as lining up and pushing people around, that is not his forte. Maybe we need to change our philosophy. Or do we even have one? I have always thought of us as having a line that can one-on-one match up and overpower people. But we haven't done that in so long.

Geez. This team gives me fits. I confuse myself.

In conclusion-we have no identity on the OL. So any step in any direction is good.

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I think Winston is very solid, but he seems to not fit our offensive line type. As I type that I laugh, because our line has been horrid. So I agree the statement is silly.

But what I am trying to say is that from what I understand, he is great in zone blocking. As far as lining up and pushing people around, that is not his forte. Maybe we need to change our philosophy. Or do we even have one? I have always thought of us as having a line that can one-on-one match up and overpower people. But we haven't done that in so long.

Geez. This team gives me fits. I confuse myself.

In conclusion-we have no identity on the OL. So any step in any direction is good.

Tyron can certainly fit into a zone scheme, Costa might be a good fit too if he can stay healthy. If they were to sign Winston and add another athletic guard in the draft the pieces start falling together.

On the flip side of the coin move Bernie to center, sign Smith to play RT and get someone like Warmack or Warford in the draft the team could really pound the rock. There are options there, I'm just happy that it appears they want to upgrade across the board.

Edit: as for last season I'm pretty sure we ran the majority of plays in man blocking because of injuries and the rotating tackles toward the end of the year. To execute zone blocking there has to be a good feel of what the guys around you are doing otherwise guys don't get blocked. Callahan has run both schemes in the past though and could go either way.

I think Winston is very solid, but he seems to not fit our offensive line type. As I type that I laugh, because our line has been horrid. So I agree the statement is silly.

But what I am trying to say is that from what I understand, he is great in zone blocking. As far as lining up and pushing people around, that is not his forte. Maybe we need to change our philosophy. Or do we even have one? I have always thought of us as having a line that can one-on-one match up and overpower people. But we haven't done that in so long.

Geez. This team gives me fits. I confuse myself.

In conclusion-we have no identity on the OL. So any step in any direction is good.

^^^ THIS.

Really wish we did. The problem is Callahan has been a traditional power scheme guy. He was in San Diego, he was in Oakland, he was in New York and we brought him here to do the same thing. But the NFL is a copy cat league and more and more we see how zone blocking schemes have been picking up in success and popularity. So what happens? The league starts to put more value in athletic and mobile linemen. Draftniks drool, hype raises through the roof and coaches think they can develop the raw skills.

Tyron Smith is the epitome of this. Totally raw prospect with athleticism through the roof, but the hype machine totally warranted his draft value. We had the need and it was easy to fall in love with him. But imo, his addition to the line was the start to changing the way the Cowboys always ran things around here. The old guys are OUT. We're in the process of building a new line right now and I think the new direction of this OL should be a zone blocking scheme. Callahan can still be the guy or we can bring in a new guy especially if Callahan is becoming OC.

Main thing is to build the line around who are key players are. Right now, that's not just Tyron... we've got one of the best one cut and go RBs in the league in DeMarco Murray. He would be a Mega Star in this league in a zone blocking scheme. Arian Foster who? Alfred Morris? C'mon man...

I share the frustration with you guys man. I wish we had more clarity here.

It's doubtful they will change the blocking system anytime soon since it would involve bringing in new coaches and ZBS blockers often give up something in pass pass protection. Washington and Houston are 2 teams that love to run the ball, Dallas is much more of a pass first team which I believe Jerry likes and isn't going to change.
Murray is just too injury prone to build an offense around.
I think it is pretty clear that the Cowboys will remain so as long as Romo is the QB.

I'm not sure about the love affair with Winston, after all, 2 teams in 2 years have dumped him as their RT, there has to be a major reason why they chose to do so.
Andre Smith would be a much better signing but I doubt the Cowboys can afford him.

It's doubtful they will change the blocking system anytime soon since it would involve bringing in new coaches and ZBS blockers often give up something in pass pass protection. Washington and Houston are 2 teams that love to run the ball, Dallas is much more of a pass first team which I believe Jerry likes and isn't going to change.
Murray is just too injury prone to build an offense around.
I think it is pretty clear that the Cowboys will remain so as long as Romo is the QB.

Doubtful is not a good word here. I just found some interesting news as I tried to get better informed on our situation...

But first let me start by saying, YES, under Jason Garrett, there is no doubt that he loves to pass first, but that is a Garrett thing, not a Jerry thing. Traditionally, Dallas is a power running team, but the word "tradition" in today's NFL is almost like a bad word. Teams can't lean on tradition like they used to. Now teams must ever evolve. They must become innovative. They need to adjust to the changing times. That is why I think Dallas has become more pass heavy in recent years. The rules are making it much easier to do so and we're seeing that on offense. If there's one thing Jerry IS NOT guilty of, it's sticking to the past. He's made so many schematical changes that can be labeled "en vogue" that one can call him crazy! 4-3 --> Parcells 3-4 --> Phillips 3-4 --> Ryan 3-4 --> Tampa 2... and that's just on the defensive side of the ball. So seeing us being pass happy on offense is just another example of Dallas' awareness of trying to keep up with the evolving game. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the next QB we get is a read option guy.

But anyways, back to what I learned today...

I came across an article this morning that really cleared up some of the questions about the OL scheme that we started talking about last night...

"If Franklin is available in the third round, I think itís a no-brainer for Dallas. Franklin ran in a read-zone type of offense at UCLA, but donít forget that the Cowboys are transitioning to more zone-blocking assignments in 2013"

"With the Cowboys transitioning to more zone blocking concepts, Michael would be a good fit in Dallas"

"Taylor has the well-rounded game of a player who could spell DeMarco Murray, and heís also a fit for the Cowboysí zone-blocking concepts"

Sounds like the direction is clear. If there is ever a good time to decide to change, the time is now. We have 1 guy on the entire line that is a lock. Everyone else's job is not safe. Our OL coach just got promoted to OC and we actually do have a new OL coach with a zone blocking history.

The OL coach that we hired to replace Callahan as OL coach goes by the name of Frank Pollack. Pollack was the former Houston Texans Assistant OL coach from 2007-2011 and was promoted to OL coach in Oakland last year where the Raiders transitioned from their traditional power blocking scheme to the zone-blocking scheme, which Houston ran. This offseason, the Raiders HC Greg Knapp was fired along with his entire staff. Dallas plucked up Pollack and ALL SIGNS POINT TO GO for Dallas switching to a zone blocking scheme in 2013!

I'm not sure about the love affair with Winston, after all, 2 teams in 2 years have dumped him as their RT, there has to be a major reason why they chose to do so.
Andre Smith would be a much better signing but I doubt the Cowboys can afford him.

The major reason = Money.

Since we're moving to ZBS, landing Winston would be a DREAM wish come true.

Winston would be an excellent get and then I'll just cross my fingers for Cooper :D

Another note I've seen more than once now so I'll post it here. All indications are that Romo will be given more responsibility in terms of play-calling. If our two minute drill is any indication the offense might be a tad more explosive without Garrett's play-calling.

No doubt our offense looked better in no-huddle or 2-minute drills compared to the rest of the game.

I think that most places say that if Warmack fell to us it would be a nice value pick. Since I admit I don't know much about zone blocking, would he be a good fit? From what I know about it, he seems not to be.

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I think that most places say that if Warmack fell to us it would be a nice value pick. Since I admit I don't know much about zone blocking, would he be a good fit? From what I know about it, he seems not to be.

alabama runs mostly zone blocking runs schemes, all these concerns about warmack in a zone blocking scheme is just overanalysis

This team needs to take on the personality & culture of guys like Dez and Sean Lee.

That team will have a chance.

As is, this team is what it is. Flash and show that always comes up short when it matters.

As good as Ware & Witten (to a lesser extent, Romo) are -- they're not leaders. They're never screaming at guys. They're never leading the emotional charge. And it shows when it counts.. No one on the team sets people straight.

I was watching a SoundFX of The Triplets the other day and it was amazing seeing the type of player leadership and emotion you got from Aikman & Irvin on the sidelines.

Aikman was constantly cussing out OL and coaching his WR's.. Right after a guy scored his first career TD, Aikman goes up to him and says "Hey good job but I need you to get quicker out of your break. You need to speed it up."

Nothing was ever good enough for Troy and that's an awesome quality. And it takes a lot of confidence to not just lead by example but to force that same mentality on everyone else.

Tony doesn't have that.

I know its been awhile but I just couldnt let this comment slide without saying anything...

The ONE think I see Tony Romo doing on the sidelines and on the field is coaching, teaching, encouraging, and freaking having to grad dumb butt WRs and OL and get them to do what they are suppose to do.

He's played with Witten and Miles for so long he trust them and they generally do a good job of being in the right spot at the right time. (when Austin is healthy)

Dez finally come along this year and learned and started becoming the WR he was drafted to be. Hope he can continue to mature and develop the other aspects of the game.

However, the REST of the YEHOOs are not SMART players, or they are having a really tough time picking things up. I know I don't really have to say anymore about Ogletree. Harris is fairly young and still learning, dude is from East Carolina, not your "Stanford" of the east coast. Beasley is really nothing more than hoping you dont miss the next Amdendola.

When your QB has to go up to your lineman to get things straightened out after a blown blocking assignment or another mental error as much as he has in the past few years, that's not a ringing endorsement of their ability to think on the move. And I'm not talking about Peyton Manning style checks or even stuff like with Jeff Saturday on the sideline. I'm taking about actual Xs and Os.

From my perspective, humbly, I disagree with the comment about Romo needing to be more Aikman like in his leadership abilities. If anything, Romo needs to be more Aikman like in his late game/clutch situations decision making process. Of course, it would certainly help if we had a consistent running game for more than a few quarters here and there.

Drewy, I love your posts, you have great analysis and insight, but I have to respectfully disagree on this particular assessment of Mr. Romo.

I know its been awhile but I just couldnt let this comment slide without saying anything...

The ONE think I see Tony Romo doing on the sidelines and on the field is coaching, teaching, encouraging, and freaking having to grad dumb butt WRs and OL and get them to do what they are suppose to do.

He's played with Witten and Miles for so long he trust them and they generally do a good job of being in the right spot at the right time. (when Austin is healthy)

Dez finally come along this year and learned and started becoming the WR he was drafted to be. Hope he can continue to mature and develop the other aspects of the game.

However, the REST of the YEHOOs are not SMART players, or they are having a really tough time picking things up. I know I don't really have to say anymore about Ogletree. Harris is fairly young and still learning, dude is from East Carolina, not your "Stanford" of the east coast. Beasley is really nothing more than hoping you dont miss the next Amdendola.

When your QB has to go up to your lineman to get things straightened out after a blown blocking assignment or another mental error as much as he has in the past few years, that's not a ringing endorsement of their ability to think on the move. And I'm not talking about Peyton Manning style checks or even stuff like with Jeff Saturday on the sideline. I'm taking about actual Xs and Os.

From my perspective, humbly, I disagree with the comment about Romo needing to be more Aikman like in his leadership abilities. If anything, Romo needs to be more Aikman like in his late game/clutch situations decision making process. Of course, it would certainly help if we had a consistent running game for more than a few quarters here and there.

Drewy, I love your posts, you have great analysis and insight, but I have to respectfully disagree on this particular assessment of Mr. Romo.

Part of the reason I think guys like Aikman are clutch and have the ability to take over with everything on the line is because of their demeanor.

Part of that is having so much confidence if yourself and your ability that you don't care about being liked by your teammates.

You rip into them because only winning matters. The commardarie is secondary.

The reason this team is one of the most talented in the league every year but continues to fall apart year after year is because of a lack of leadership. No one guides the boat through the storm. It's pathetic.

That's the QB's job.

Even when he's had receivers that know routes and lineman that have made pro bowls, he fails to lead. He's a gee golly good guy that fixes tires for randoms on the side of the road. He's not a leader of men.

I'm not saying he can't win it all, I'm just saying he won't be the reason. It'll be good coaching, great defense, and skill players making plays while Tony worries about minimizing mistakes.

Just a tad disappointing for me when I feel like he expects to fail. I think Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, RG3, and Russell Wilson all give off a demeanor like they're Brady or Brees. They expect to win.

Tony is like Rivers, Cutler, McNabb and Matt Ryan. These on the fence, wavering confidence type players that aren't sure of themselves and usually fail.

In fairness, drew, he said he thought he they wouldn't due to clabo's price tag. I don't think he implied they are not interested, just that they prob couldn't afford.

My bad, you're right. I felt like he insinuated the team wouldn't even try and sorta paraphrased it. Someone asked if it was safe to say he's out of the teams price range and Broaduss responded that it was.

Then he went on to say just because you have money doesn't mean you spend it.

I'm not sure about the love affair with Winston, after all, 2 teams in 2 years have dumped him as their RT, there has to be a major reason why they chose to do so.
Andre Smith would be a much better signing but I doubt the Cowboys can afford him.

Doesn't matter. We have Doug Free at RT right now, so Winston would be a massive upgrade here. I not concerned about him getting cut twice or why he was cut twice, I'm focusing on his play on the field and it's been solid.

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